“We need to be responsive in a comprehensive way to the violence occurring in some of our most under-served communities,” Raoul said. “Victims of chronic trauma are more likely to become victims again or offenders than to recover, and we need to put an end to the cycle.”

Senate Bill 2872 creates a pilot program for trauma recovery centers, expands access to earned sentence credit and gives judges discretion when imposing probation for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses as well as those with prior offenses.

“Over incarceration fills our prisons, but it does not prepare offenders to reenter society,” Raoul said. “Our goal should be to place individuals in programs that lead to their success and keep them out of jail.”

The measure was approved in the Senate today, and now heads to the governor for consideration.